The trustees of the historic Nevin Memorial Church in Lisbon have donated their church building to the St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum. Preparations are underway to disassemble and move the building to the Museum where it will be reconstructed and restored. The building was built 1855 and closed its doors in 2019.

The church will be relocated at the Museum’s village green. It will be located on its south end, balancing the schoolhouse located at the north, and joining others including the gas station and shoe shop. The village green has been graded and foundations for the church have already been constructed. When completed, the church will be available for public use.

The first phase of the move involves separation of the walls and salvage of floor and ceiling elements. This work is being overseen by Museum trustee and treasurer Lee Dezell. This will be followed by transport to the Museum and re-erection on the newly constructed foundation organized by Museum trustee Dave Gibson. A new roof will be constructed, and the stained glass windows will be repaired and reinstalled.

Phase 1 has an estimated cost of $50,000. A donor has offered to match the next $25,000 received. The Museum hopes for the loan of a crane and flatbed trailer to facilitate moving eight wall sections up to 24 feet long and standing them on their new foundation. The Museum expects the building to be up and sealed against weather this summer.

The second phase will be restoration, returning the building to near-original condition including some of the new features added over the years. Its estimated cost is another $50,000 depending on what materials used and what is revealed during disassembly and by historical records. This work will begin in 2022.

The Church closed its doors in December of 2019 after 164 years of worship. Anticipating the closure, church trustee Mark Armstrong addressed the Museum’s board and offered the building and its contents to the Museum. After studying the opportunity, the Board voted to accept the offer and gained title to the church in November of last year.

The St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum plans a big 2022 with three major events among several others. The Annual Spring Exhibition will be held June 11-12. The Civil War Weekend, held in conjunction with the St. Lawrence County Historical Association, will be at the Museum’s Ft. Tribute July 30-31. The Annual Old Fashioned Harvest Days Exhibition will be September 3-4. The Heritage Fibers Center and Blacksmith Shop will hold classes. The Pumpkin Patch Party for children will be in October. In late September SLC Chamber of Commerce will host a Craft, Food, and Wine Open Air Market. School groups and others will have special tours, and visitors are always welcome during Open House days.

The Museum is an all-volunteer organization. Even with its remarkable volunteers, more will be needed this year. Anyone with an interest in history, preservation of the region’s past, and having great fun will be welcome. All skills are needed and many can be learned. You are needed if you can sew, drive a tractor, use a hammer, cook, drive a horse, push a broom, host visitors, drive a golf car, grill chicken, write, keep accounts, take pictures, collect tickets, or do just about anything. It is fun and very satisfying. Membership is only $25/year with couples only $5 more.

Construction projects resumed in mid-summer with much work done on the new Wood Shop, the 1835 Log Cabin, the 1850 Schoolhouse, and Shoe Shop. Construction began on the foundation for a 2,000 square foot historic church building to be moved to the Museum in spring.

Activities this year were made possible by a healthy North Country community which followed rules for gatherings. Masks were worn, personal separation maintained, hands washed, and temperatures taken. The Museum’s campus is almost always supplied by a fresh supply of vigorous Canadian air crossing the border without restriction. Regardless, everyone looks forward to the arrival of new vaccines against COVID-19.

The St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum is a 501(c)(3) education corporation, provisionally chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, and located at 1755 State Hwy. 345 in Madrid, NY. For more information go to www.slpowermuseum.com or call 315-322- 8956 or write SLPEM, PO Box 400, Madrid, NY 13660. Applications for membership can be sent to this address. Be sure to include a check for dues as well as your name(s), address, phone number and email address. Donations would be very welcome, as the Museum’s normal revenue stream has been interrupted as with many others.